Charis

Charis (Cháris) is a feminine first name that has its origins in ancient Greek. The name derives from the three Charites of Greek mythology, who are also known as the goddesses of grace and beauty: Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia. These three are often referred to in everyday language as 'the three Graces'.

What does the name Charis mean?

The name Charis (Cháris) comes from ancient Greek and is a feminine first name that refers to the goddesses of grace and beauty (Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia). These figures are known as the three Charites and are colloquially referred to as 'the three Graces'. Translated, Charis means 'the graceful', 'the kind', 'the gracious', or 'the lovely'. The origin of the name goes back to the ancient Greek noun cháris (χάρις), which stands for terms like 'grace', 'loveliness', 'kindness', 'favor', 'thanks', 'goodness', and 'mercy'. In Homer's Iliad, Charis is mentioned as the wife of Hephaestus, and in a Spartan context, Charis is also a name for a grace. In the German-speaking world, the name has only gained traction since the 1970s, while it has been known in the English-speaking world since the 17th century. Variants include Charise, Charisse, Charisle, Charissa, Chares, Caris, Carisa, Carissa, Karis, and Karissa, as well as the French form Carice.

Where does the name Charis come from?

Charis is a feminine first name with ancient Greek roots and meanings such as 'the lovely' or 'the graceful'. The name derives from the ancient Greek word cháris, which denotes grace, loveliness, kindness, favor, thanks, goodness, and mercy.

How do you pronounce Charis?

The pronunciation of Charis is clear and two-syllable. In the German language, the name is usually pronounced as 'Ka-ris' [ˈkaːʁɪs] or [ˈʃaʁɪs], starting with a distinctive initial sound. The long A in the first syllable conveys a sense of expansiveness, while the short I in the second syllable creates brightness. The final S sound provides a concise ending, making Charis appear confident and structured – clear, powerful, and elegant.

When is the name day of Charis?

The name day for Charis is celebrated on February 10.

Popularity

In Germany, Charis is considered a rare name. Currently, it ranks 5,884th on the list of the most common female baby names. Its best placement was in 2005, reaching 882nd place. Over the last ten years, Charis has been given as a first name about 20 times, placing it 5,457th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 4,199th. In international comparison, Charis appears in the name charts of various countries.

Nicknames & pet names

Ari / Cha / Chacha / Chachicho / Chari / Charie / Charisli / Charisma / Charry / Cherry / Risi / Schascha / Schaschi

Similar first names

Karis

Famous people

• Charis Alexiou (Greek singer)
• Charis Anastasiou (Greek singer)
• Charis Charisis (Greek footballer)
• Charis Charissovich Junitschev (swimmer from Russia)
• Charis Drakos (Cypriot footballer)
• Charis Kopitsis (footballer from Greece)
• Charis Kostakis (footballer from Greece)
• Charis Kyriakou (Cypriot footballer)
• Charis Michelsen (American actress)
• Charis Nicolaou (footballer from Cyprus)
• Charis Pappas (Greek footballer)
• Charis Wilson (American model)
• Charis Yulianto (Indonesian footballer)